All things books, all the time

Listen While you…Write?

I remember thinking of writing this post sometime ago. But then it got lost in the shuffle of other blog posts that I thought were more relevant. But now I’ve gone ahead and changed my mind. I’ve even given it the coveted Monday spot! Supposedly Mondays are the most active days on blogging sites, though my top five days in terms of views have all come on days that are not Monday. Eh. Doesn’t matter.

Anyway, you’re likely still scratching your head trying to figure out what exactly I intend to discuss in this post. The title doesn’t really tell you all you need to know. Fear not, the topic to be discussed is what you listen to as you write. I was reminded of this question when it was asked of me by another blogger who nominated me for a Liebster Award. My initial response and longest post ever can be found here.

Okay. Time for the good stuff. My answer is actually a two-part answer. First, I don’t listen to anything while I’m working on my second novel. The sounds of my house are annoying enough that I have no intention of adding to the mix with sounds of ANYTHING. Second, I always listen to music as I write my blog posts. I typically write them the night before they’re set to go online. For instance, this is Monday’s post being written at 12:45 Sunday night. What music you ask? Well if you’ve glanced at my About Me page then you know that I LOVE country music. Seriously. I don’t care that people say all they sing about are back roads, blue jeans, beer, and trucks. It’s about a thousand times better than pop music. Probably more, actually. I’m always downloading new songs. I listen to my most recent country downloads as I work on my blog posts. It’s currently 11 songs. Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, and Brett Eldredge are all represented in this batch. I honestly don’t know why there’s a difference between writing a blog post and writing a new chapter. But there is.

So there you have it, I’m either listening to the click-clacking of my fingers on the keys of my laptop while writing a new chapter or I’m jamming to some country music while writing a blog post. I want to know what YOU listen to as you write. Let’s compare, shall we?

Also, I’m going to start keeping you guys apprised of my progress to read 50 books in a single calendar year. I just finished my fifth book of the year. London Bridges (Alex Cross #10) by James Patterson.

Oh I’ve done that! Occasionally I’ll put some music on while writing just to see if this time I can concentrate while it’s on. Then I find myself distracted AGAIN, you know singing along, and I’ve lost my train of thought completely. Lol. 🙂

When I start a novel I build a playlist of songs that either have lyrics that relate to the story or have a tone that really fits with the mood of the novel. My first novel was filled with Muse, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Incubus. When I listen to those songs now, I can see scenes from the book.

The current novel’s soundtrack is much more broad. Placebo, Cage the Elephant, The Civil Wars, HIM, AFI, and I know I’m missing some.

Music is very important to my writing. I write almost always in a Starbucks lobby, so good headphones and tunes are my way of ‘shutting the door’, as Stephen King would say.

I listen mostly to Dubstep while writing. The chaos in the music settles the chaos in my mind some how. Something about it inspires me and I know how crazy that sounds. I even listen to it while I’m reading sometimes. I have also listened to a lot of Pentatonix while writing. Then of course there are the rare times that I throw in a little Korn or Metallica. Depends on what the mood needs to be for the chapter I am working on. But Dubstep trumps all most of the time.

Oh, but I disagree. Dubstep is the music of our souls. Life is chaotic and crazy and doesn’t make sense. Dubstep is life as music. LOL I really only like the dubstep with a very heavy bass. It’s soothing for me. It even helps me sleep at night. Though I do like other types of electronica music. I have recently discovered Avicii and listen to him while I am studying.

I can’t write without some kind of background noise, whether it is music, the just the television turned down low, or even the chatter in my local bar. Of course, the TV is more of a distraction that just putting on iTunes as I tend to get sucked into TV shows or movies and then look down and realize I haven’t written anything for the last hour, d’oh! I don’t have any specific artists or genres that I listen to when working on a particular scene but I have noticed that I’m most productive when I’m playing purely instrumental pieces.

I love listening to Lindsey Stirling while I write, or the soundtracks from the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings movies. The provide a good soundtrack without being a distraction.

I usually don’t listen to anything while I write, but sometimes the silence gets too loud. That’s when I break out either my soundtrack playlist or Myleene Klass. It used to be George Winston, but New Age piano got old pretty fast.

Trance (Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Orjin Neillson, etc.) Trance usually has a metronome back beat and I can get in the groove/ fall into the page with that cadence behind me…
OR movie/television soundtracks when in need of inspiration usually during action sequences. Nothing like a little season 3 Battlestar Galactica “Storming New Caprica” with rumbling taiko drums to get the blood boiling.

Aw. Well. Obviously. Have you seen the billboards and magazines? TV too? Not every girl is super skinny with flawless hair and flawless skin and blah. Hahaha. But thank you. That’s actually very sweet. 🙂

I listen to all types of music when I write! Most the time, the music I’m listening to isn’t even related to what I’m writing either. But I always am listening to music, walking to class is a drag without some Tom Petty. 🙂

This is an interesting question. I used to listen to music quite frequently when writing but since I use dictation software, I find it too confusing to be talking out loud and listening to music. Actually, you just gave me an idea. I think I’m going to write a post of my own about this, inspired by yours. Thanks! I’ll link back to this entry in mine (not sure yet when it’ll be up but within a week).

Interesting post! As for writing music, it depends on what I’m writing about. I’ll listen to almost anything as long as it relates to what I work on. That way I’m 10x more inspired than I was before writing!

I like country music, and my favorite singer is Willie Nelson. Yes. I’m a few generations up, or would it be down, the road from you, John. I like the way Willie Nelson sings. Johnny Cash, too. BUT, When I write, I want it quiet. If there is music in the background, I will filter it out with my fancy brain that knows how to do that. I will hear nothing until I finish writing. Blessings to you, John…

I listen to the silence in my house at around 2am morning time whenever I write. That seems to be the only time my mind becomes creative enough for writing and my mind is full of words.
I can do my photography or photo art.. my other obsession during any time of the day which is a relief so I do get some sleep. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

John, I saw your “like” of one of my pieces and I am floored ! I just set up this blog a week ago which is my second blog going. I’ve been running a travel/photography blog for about a year and have only just realized I love to write. I don’t really consider myself a writer but here I am. To receive your “like” has elevated me. Thank you. Doreen